Mount device utilizing patterned features for rack orientation detection

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the invention relates to systems and methods for detecting the orientation of sample carriers using two or more RFID tags. One or two dimensional matrix of equally spaced RFID reader antennas may be positioned beneath or within an area on which racks are placed. The first RFID tag defines the origin of the sample carrier and its geometry. The second and additional RFID tags define the orientations of the sample carrier relative to the matrix of the RFID reader antennas. At least two of the tag antennas on the rack align uniquely with two antennas on the reader matrix. The system energizes each reader antenna and associates the RFID tags aligned with them to the RFID reader antenna&#39;s physical position.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/181,421, filed on Feb. 14, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 61/768,350, filed on Feb. 22, 2013 and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 61/894,769, filed on Oct. 23, 2013, each of whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sample containers may be transported by automated systems in variousareas of a laboratory system. Such areas may include input,distribution, centrifuge, decapper, aliquotter, output, sorting,recapping, and secondary tube lift areas. Sample containers may includesample tubes that may contain material for medical analysis, such asblood, serum, gel, plasma, etc. Sample containers may be placed in arack, tray or sample carrier for storage, processing or for ease oftransportation. Racks, trays and sample carriers may also be placed indrawers in specific arrangements to accommodate various workflows orclassifications of samples.

Operators of laboratory automation systems can use sample racks toarrange samples in a particular pattern and order to enable theautomation equipment to remove samples from these racks based upon theirposition within the pattern. Likewise, the automation equipment canplace samples and sample containers into racks in a particular patternand order to enable the operator to remove the samples from the racks ina specific pattern and order. If the operator does not orient a rackcorrectly on the automation equipment, then it is difficult to associatethe correct positions within the rack to the sample containers in therack.

A known solution to overcome the above problem provides loading theracks onto the automation equipment in a unique orientation. A uniquefeature of the rack can be matched with a mating feature on theautomation equipment to accomplish the unique orientation. However, thissolution may be frustrating for the operator. It may take multipleattempts for the operator to install the rack onto the automationequipment to obtain the desired orientation.

Another solution, as described by patent application US 2011095864 worksfor racks having two possible orientations. A square rack having equallength sides could be placed onto the automation equipment in fourdifferent orientations. However, with this solution only two out of fourpossible orientations can be identified. Thus, conventional approachescould be improved.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems,individually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods that allow anoperator to load racks in numerous locations and orientations. Anautomation system may automatically determine the locations andorientations of the racks (or other sample carrier), as well as anysamples of sample containers in the racks.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for detectingthe orientation of sample carriers or racks using two or more RFID tagantennas. In some embodiments, one or two dimensional matrix of equallyspaced RFID reader antennas may be positioned beneath or within an areaon which the sample carriers are placed. The first RFID tag defines theorigin of the sample carrier and its characteristics (e.g., geometry).The second and additional RFID tags define the orientations of thesample carrier relative to the matrix of the RFID reader antennas. Atleast two of the RFID tags on the rack can uniquely align with twoantennas on the matrix of RFID reader antennas. The system energizeseach reader antenna and associates the RFID tags aligned with them tothe RFID reader antenna's physical position. The number of detectablelocations and orientations is dependent upon the number and spacing ofthe RFID tag antennas on the rack and the RFID reader antennas withinthe reader matrix.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a sample carriercomprising two or more recesses to hold samples or sample containers andtwo or more RFID tags. At least one out of the two or more RFID tagsdefines the origin of the sample carrier and the remaining RFID tagsdefine the orientation of the sample carrier.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a system comprising asample carrier comprising two or more recesses to hold sample containersand two or more RFID tags, wherein at least one out of the two or moreRFID tags defines the origin of the sample carrier and the remainingRFID tags define the orientation of the sample carrier, and a RFIDreader antenna matrix, wherein the RFID reader antenna matrix comprisesmultiple RFID antennas. The RFID reader antennas matrix is positionedbeneath or within an area on which the sample carrier is placed. Atleast two of the RFID tags on the sample carrier align uniquely with atleast two antennas on the RFID reader antenna matrix.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for usingthe above-described system. The method may include placing a samplecarrier with two or more RFID tags on a platform with an antenna readermatrix, which is activated. A set (e.g., one or more) of antenna readersin the antenna reader matrix then reads information in at least one ofthe RFID tags, and a processor can determine where the sample carrier islocated and can also determine the orientation of the sample carrierrelative to a reference point. The two or more RFID tags of the samplecarrier may be aligned with the antenna reader matrix in such a way thateach of the at least two RFID tags is brought into close proximity to anindividual RFID reader antenna of the RFID reader antenna matrix.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a universal mount devicecomprising a mount body comprising a plurality of patterned features.The plurality of patterned features are capable of positioning samplecarriers of different sizes and/or capable of positioning samplecarriers at different locations on the mount body. An RFID reader matrixis coupled to the mount body. The RFID reader matrix may be coupled tothe mount body in any suitable manner. For example, in embodiments ofthe invention, the RFID reader matrix may be embedded within the mountbody, in recesses in the mount body, or attached to an outer surface(e.g., top or side surfaces) of the mount body. The RFID reader matrixcomprises a plurality of RFID reader antennas. The terms RFID readerantenna matrix, reader antenna matrix, RFID reader matrix and readermatrix are used interchangeably in this specification.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system comprising auniversal mount device comprising a mount body comprising a plurality ofpatterned features and an RFID reader antenna matrix coupled to themount body. The RFID reader antenna matrix comprises a plurality of RFIDreader antennas. The system also comprises a sample carrier comprising acarrier body, a carrier locating feature associated with the carrierbody, a carrier orientation feature associated with the carrier body,and an RFID tag coupled to the carrier body. The sample carrier iscapable of being positioned by interfacing one or more of the patternedfeatures with the carrier locating feature and the carrier orientationfeature.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for using theabove-described system. The method comprises placing the sample carrieron the universal mount device, such that the one or more patternedfeatures interface with the carrier locating feature and the carrierorientation feature. The method may include placing a sample carrierwith one or more RFID tags on a platform with a universal mount deviceand an RFID reader antenna matrix, which is activated. A set (e.g., oneor more) of antenna readers in the RFID reader antenna matrix then readsinformation in at least one of the RFID tags, and a processor candetermine where the sample carrier is located and can also determine theorientation of the sample carrier.

In one embodiment of the invention, a location of a sample carrier canbe detected using a physical control device for orientation. Forexample, a universal mount device can control the location of a rack atone or more positions in a plane. An array or matrix of RFID readerantennas matching the positions of the universal mount device in theplane can be used to read the RFID tag coupled to a rack body. Since thegeometric location of each of the universal mount device's positions isknown, the location of the correlating reader antenna is also known.When a tag is centered over any of these positions, only one readerantenna of the array can read the RFID tag. The location of the readerantenna that reads the rack's tag allows the location of the readingantenna to be correlated to the location of the rack in the plane. Thusthe geometric location of a rack on the universal mount device can bedetected.

In another embodiment, use of two or more strategically placed RFID tagson a rack permits the detection of a rack's orientation when coupledwith a universal mount device and RFID reader antenna array or matrix.One of the RFID tags may be used to determine the location of the rack.If the RFID reader antenna array is two dimensional, a second RFID tagspaced a distance from the first RFID tag equal to the distance betweenadjacent reader antennas in the array permits the orientation to beascertained. If the RFID reader antenna array is one dimensional and arack is square and the rack may be oriented in up to four possibleorientations, the addition of a third antenna permits the detection ofthe orientation of the rack in any of the four possible orientations.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the differentembodiments may be realized by reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1A illustrates a block diagram of a laboratory system.

FIG. 1B illustrates a block diagram of components of automationequipment.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary rack with two RFID tags in oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary rack with three RFID tags in oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates different orientations for a rack using atwo-dimensional reader antenna matrix, in one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3B illustrates different orientations for a rack using aone-dimensional reader antenna matrix, in one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3C-1 shows a rack placement area with a grid.

FIG. 3C-2 shows a rack placement area with a grid and a one-dimensionalarray of RFID antennas.

FIG. 3C-3 shows a square shaped rack (recesses for sample tubes are notshown) 380 with an origin RFID tag, and a first orientation RFID tag,and a second orientation RFID tag.

FIG. 3C-4 shows examples of valid rack placements on the grid.

FIG. 4 illustrates a 60° orientation for a rack using a two-dimensionalreader antenna matrix, in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top plan view of a universal mount device, in oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary rack on auniversal mount device, in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5C illustrates an exemplary rack comprising a carrier locationfeature and a carrier orientation feature, in one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary rack sizes compatible with the universalmount device, in embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate exemplary rack/tray arrangements on the universalmount device, in embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computer apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Laboratory automation systems provide automated sample loading, sortingand unloading/transporting to minimize manual handling. Samples may needto be transported to other instruments or lab sections for storage,further processing or disposal. An operator of a laboratory automationsystem can associate a specific position within a sample carrier or rackto a specific position within a laboratory automation system. Currentsolutions allow loading the racks onto the automation equipment in apredefined manner using mechanical structures and orientation features,thus limiting the options for orientation of the rack onto theautomation equipment.

In order to manage the traceability of samples by position within arack, a correlation between each position in the rack and the automationequipment loading the rack needs to be made. Consequently, both thelocation of a rack in a plane and the orientation of the rack withinthat plane need to be communicated to the laboratory automationequipment.

There are at least two ways to communicate location and orientationinformation to the laboratory automation equipment. In the first way,the location and orientation of a sample carrier can be physicallycontrolled so that the automation equipment knows the location of thesample carrier and can correlate that location to specific positions inthat sample carrier. In a second way, the location and/or orientation ofthe sample carrier can be detected relative to a physical location andthat physical location can be correlated to positions in the samplecarrier.

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods detecting thephysical location and/or orientation of a sample carrier. In a first setof embodiments, the location and orientation of the rack can be detectedrelative to a physical location and can be correlated to a position in asample carrier. This can be done, for example, by using two or morestrategically placed RFID tags on the sample carrier. In a second set ofembodiments, the location and/or orientation of a sample carrier can bedetected relative to a physical location and can be correlated to aposition in a sample carrier. This can be accomplished using, forexample, a mount body with a number of patterned features.

Before discussing specific embodiments of the invention, somedescriptions of some terms may be useful.

A “body” of a sample carrier or “sample carrier body” may include anysuitable structure that can hold samples. In some cases, a body maycomprise a number of recesses (e.g., slots, wells, etc.), where therecesses can hold samples or containers which can hold samples. Suitableexamples of sample carrier bodies may include rack bodies and microtiterplate bodies. Suitable bodies may be made of any suitable materialincluding glass, plastic, ceramic, etc. They may also comprise ananti-static material to reduce the likelihood that static electricitymay be present during use.

An “RFID tag” can include any suitable device that uses radio-frequencyelectromagnetic fields to transfer data. In some embodiments, a tag cancontain electronically stored information. Some tags are powered by andread at short ranges (up to a few meters) via magnetic fields(electromagnetic induction). Others can use a local power source such asa battery, or else have no battery but collect energy from theinterrogating EM field, and then act as a passive transponder to emitmicrowaves or UHF radio waves (i.e., electromagnetic radiation at highfrequencies).

A “matrix” may include an array of elements, where the elements in thearray are spaced apart from each other. The spacing between the elementsin a matrix may be regular or irregular. Suitable matrices may be in theform of a one dimensional array of elements or a two-dimensional arrayof elements.

A “recess” may include a space of predefined dimensions in a body. Arecess can be in the form of a hole or slot, and may be of any suitablesize or shape.

FIG. 1A illustrates a high level block diagram of a laboratory system100. The system may include automation equipment. The laboratory system100 may include automation equipment 104, and a plurality of samplecarriers 106, and a loading and unloading platform 108.

The automation equipment 104 may include any suitable number ofapparatuses including at least one of a sorting, capping, decapping,archiving, aliquoting, etc. apparatuses. It may also comprise containerhandling apparatuses such as robots that can transfer sample containers.The automation equipment 104 may also comprise one or morecomputers/servers to automate various functions by utilizing one or morerobotic systems. The computer apparatus in the automation equipment 104may also comprise or be coupled to a database of information. Thedatabase of information may store information about the types of samplecarriers used in the system, the respective sample carrier geometryinformation, the orientations of the sample carriers on the platform108, and the locations of the sample carriers on the platform 108.

An operator 102 may use sample carriers 106 to arrange sample containers(i.e., sample tubes) in a particular order and pattern to enable theautomation equipment 104 to deposit and/or remove sample containers orsamples from the sample carriers 106. The samples or the samplecontainers may be present in a specific pattern and order in each samplecarrier 106. The operator 102 may further load the racks 106 onto aloading/unloading platform 108 coupled to the automation equipment 104.For example, the loading/unloading platform 108 may be part of an inputmodule of the automation equipment 104 where the samples may be loadedfor further processing, such as, sorting, capping, decapping, archiving,aliquoting, etc.

FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of some components in automation equipment104. The automation equipment 104 may include two or more sampleprocessing devices 104A such as sorting, capping, decapping, archiving,aliquoting, etc. devices, as well as devices that can move samples orsample containers (e.g, robots, pipettors, etc.). A computer apparatus104B may serve as a controller and may control the various sampleprocessing devices.

The computer apparatus 104B may comprise a data processor 104B-1 coupledto a computer readable medium 104B-2. The computer readable medium104B-2 may comprise any suitable combination of devices that can storedata using any suitable data storage mechanism (e.g., electrical,magnetic, optical, etc.). The computer readable medium 104B-2 maycomprise a number of software modules including an activation module104B-2A for activating reader antennas in a reader array. The computerreadable medium 104B-2 may also include a type, location and orientationdetermination module 104B-2B which can be used, in conjunction with theprocessor 104B-1 to determine the type, location and orientation of thesample carriers after receiving information about which reader antennasdetected RFID tags associated with sample carriers. Lastly, the computerreadable medium 104B-2 may also include a sample carrier locationdatabase 104B-2C which may store the locations of the sample carriers106 after their locations and orientations have been detected. It isnoted that embodiments of the invention are not limited to the specificmodules or databases described, but may include more than thespecifically described modules and databases.

I. Embodiments Utilizing at Least Two RFID Tags

Some embodiments of the invention utilize a Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) system for detecting the orientation of a rack (orother type of sample carrier) for sample containers in a laboratoryautomation system. In some embodiments of the invention, the rackpossesses two or more RFID tags that define the direction of orientationof the rack. A one or two dimensional matrix of preferably equallyspaced RFID reader antennas may be positioned beneath or within an areaon which racks may be placed. The RFID antennas may be spaced apart fromeach other such that neighboring RFID tags to an RFID tag that isactivated by a reader antenna are not activated by the reader antennawhen the RFID tag is aligned with the reader antenna. A first RFID tagattached to the body of the rack can correspond to the rack origin and asecond RFID tag attached to the body of the rack is placed at apre-determined distance from the first RFID tag. The pre-determineddistance matches the distance between at least two antennas in a readermatrix. In some embodiments the distance between any two RFID tags maymatch the distance between two RFID reader antennas. The matrix and theRFID reader antennas in the matrix may be electrically coupled to acomputer apparatus.

The RFID tags may be attached to the body in any suitable manner. Forexample, the RFID tags may be attached to the body by affixing the twoor more RFID tags to a surface of the body, embedding the two or moreRFID tags within the body, or allowing the RFID tags to reside inrecesses in the body.

As noted above, the first RFID tag defines the origin of the rack andits geometry. The first RFID tag may comprise a memory. In someembodiments, the memory may be used to store the characteristics (e.g.,geometry) of the rack. The second and additional RFID tags can be usedto define the orientations of the rack relative to the matrix of RFIDreader antennas. The second and additional RFID tags can each have aunique value, defining a particular direction within the rack's frame ofreference relative to the rack's origin. At least two of the RFID tagsof the rack can uniquely align with at least two antennas in anunderlying reader matrix in a loading/unloading platform. Thus, thelocation of the rack and its orientation relative to the RFID readerantenna matrix may be ascertained using embodiments of the invention.Also, using embodiments of the invention, the operator can load racks innumerous locations and orientations, thus providing benefits overconventional systems.

In some embodiments, the use of two or more strategically placed RFIDtags on a rack body permits the detection of a rack's orientation whencoupled with a universal base frame and an RFID reader antenna array. Asnoted above, one of the tags can be used to determine the location ofthe rack. If the RFID reader antenna array is two dimensional, a secondtag spaced at a distance from the first tag equal to the distancebetween adjacent reader antennas in the reader array permits theorientation of the rack to be ascertained. Also, if the RFID readerantenna array is one dimensional, and a rack is square and thus may beoriented in up to four possible orientations, the addition of a thirdRFID tag in/on the rack body permits the detection of the orientation ofthe rack in any of the four possible orientations.

The operation of an RFID system can be briefly described beforediscussing embodiments of the invention. An RFID tag may be include asmall electronic chip and an antenna. Individualized data may be encodedin the electronic chip of the RFID tag. Tags such as these may beincorporated into a sample carrier. RFID tags may be active or passive.An active RFID tag may include a power supply to boost the effectiveoperating range whereas a passive tag may function merely with thetransmitted power from the RFID reader antenna.

The platform upon which the sample carrier is placed may have a matrixof RFID reader antennas. An RFID reader antenna can include a radiofrequency transmitter and receiver that may be controlled by andelectrically coupled to a computer apparatus. The RFID reader antennaemits short range radio frequency (RF) signals. The emitted RF signalsprovide a means for communicating with the RFID tag and provide the RFIDtag with power so that the RFID tag can provide a communication back tothe RFID reader antenna. When an RFID tag passes through the field of ascanning RFID reader antenna, it detects an activation signal from theRFID antenna. The activation signal wakes up the RFID tag and the RFIDtag transmits the information stored in its electronic chip to thescanning RFID antenna. The RFID antenna does not require the RFID tag tobe in line of sight to read its stored data.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary rack 200 according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The rack comprises two RFID tags.

The exemplary rack 200 comprises a body 220 with a square shaped planarcross-section. In this example, the body 220 comprises 16 slots(recesses) for holding sample containers, configured as columns (1-4)204 and rows (A-D) 206. A slot 202 marks a reference point for row A andcolumn 1. The exemplary rack 200 further comprises a first RFID tag 208and a second RFID tag 210. Each of the first RFID tag 208 and the secondRFID tag 210 may contain electronically stored information that may beread by a RFID reader antenna. In some embodiments, the first and secondRFID tags 208 and 210 may each include an integrated circuit for storingand processing information and an antenna for receiving and transmittingsignals. The terms “RFID tag antennas”, “RFID tags” and “tags” are usedinterchangeably in this specification.

The body 220 may have any suitable shape including a circular, square orrectangular vertical or horizontal cross section in some embodiments ofthe invention. It may have any suitable number of slots for holdingsample containers, e.g. sample tubes or micro titer plates, in anysuitable arrangement. In some embodiments, the slots may be arranged asan array, with equal or unequal numbers of rows and columns.

In one embodiment, the first RFID tag 208 contains information thatdefines the origin of the rack 200 and its geometry. The second RFID tag210 can be used to define the orientation of the rack 200. In someembodiments, the distance between the first RFID tag 208 and the secondRFID tag 210 is configured so that the orientation of the rack 200 canbe determined when the first and second RFID tags 208, 210 are alignedwith corresponding reader antennas (not shown) in a matrix of readerantennas in a loading/unloading platform (not shown).

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary rack 201 with three RFID tags accordingto another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the rack 201may comprise a third RFID tag 212 in addition to the previouslydescribed first and second RFID tags 208 and 210. The third RFID tag 212may be similar to at least the second RFID tag 210 and may help furtherdefine orientation of the rack 201. The locations of the second RFID tag210 and the third RFID tag 212, with respect to the first RFID tag 208may be chosen so that at least two of the first, second, and third RFIDtags 208, 210 and 212 uniquely align with at least two separate readerantennas in an antenna matrix to determine orientation (and/or location)of the rack 200 on a platform.

Different RFID reader antenna configurations may be used to determinerack orientation as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 3A illustrates how different orientations of a rack comprising twoRFID tags can be determined by using a two-dimensional reader antennamatrix.

As shown in FIG. 3A, an exemplary arrangement 300 illustrates readerantennas 318 configured in a two dimensional matrix. The arrangement 300may be present in a loading/unloading platform for a plurality of samplecarriers.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a square rack 310 may be placed in four differentorientations as shown by reference numbers 302, 304, 306 and 308. Thesedifferent orientations may correspond to 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees ofrotation, respectively. The rack 310 shown in FIG. 3A can have a similarconfiguration as the rack 200 shown in FIG. 2A. The rack 310 in FIG. 3Acomprises a first RFID tag 314 and a second RFID tag 316. The first RFIDtag 314 is at a center portion of the rack 310, while the second RFIDtag 316 is proximate an edge of the rack and is proximate a midpoint ofthe edge.

Reference number 312 marks a corner with frame of reference for the rack310. In some embodiments of the invention, reader antennas 318 may bepositioned beneath or within an area on which rack 310 is placed. Forexample, the reader antennas 318 may be positioned beneathloading/unloading platform 108 where the rack 310 may be placed as partof the racks 106 so that the automatic equipment 104 can load or unloadsample containers in the rack 310. The loading/unloading platform maytake any form, including a horizontal plane in a large drawer or on acountertop. In one embodiment, the reader antennas 318 may becommunicatively coupled to a computer (e.g., in the automatic equipment104) for controlling the orientation and location of the rack 310.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first RFID tag 314 defines theorigin of the rack 310 and its geometry. The second RFID tag 316 can beused with the first RFID tag to define the orientation of the rack 310relative to the two dimensional matrix of the RFID reader antennas 318.In some embodiments, the second RFID tag 316 may comprise a uniquevalue, e.g. in its ID, defining a particular direction within the frameof reference 312 relative to the origin of the rack 310. The first andsecond RFID tags 314 and 316 in the rack 310 can uniquely align with twoantennas in the reader matrix 318 so that the location and theorientation of the rack 310 can be determined. In one embodiment, acomputer (e.g., in automatic equipment 104) coupled to the readerantennas 318 may be configured to activate each reader antenna 318. Thecomputer may also be configured to associate the first and second RFIDtags with the reader antennas 318 in the reader antenna matrix to thereader antennas' physical locations. Due to the limited reading range ofthe reader antennas 318, in embodiments of the invention, the accidentalreading of tag antennas aligned with adjacent reader antennas isavoided, thus minimizing reader collisions.

In the first exemplary configuration 302, the first RFID tag 314 isaligned with a reader antenna 320 and the second RFID tag 316 is alignedwith a reader antenna 322. The exemplary configuration 302 indicates 0°rotation of the rack 310 based on the rack origin from the first RFIDtag 314 and a direction from the second RFID tag 316 relative to thematrix of reader antennas 318. The automated equipment 104 may detectthat the rack 310 is orientated 0° relative to the frame of reference312.

In the second exemplary configuration 304, the second RFID tag 316 isaligned with another reader antenna 324. The exemplary configuration 304indicates a 90° rotation of the rack 310, relative to the orientation ofthe rack 310 in the configuration 302. The second exemplaryconfiguration is based on the rack origin from the tag 314 and adirection to the tag 316 relative to the matrix of reader antennas 318.The automated equipment 104 may detect that the rack 310 is orientated90° relative to the orientation of the rack 310 in the firstconfiguration 302 and the frame of reference 312.

In the third exemplary configuration 306, the second RFID tag 316 isaligned with another reader antenna 326. The third exemplaryconfiguration 304 indicates 180° rotation of the rack 310 relative tothe orientation of the rack 310 in the first exemplary configuration302. The third exemplary orientation may be based on a direction fromthe origin of the rack 210 from the first RFID tag 314 to the secondRFID tag 316, relative to the matrix of reader antennas 318. Theautomated equipment 104 may determine that the rack 310 is orientated180° relative to the frame of reference 312.

In the fourth exemplary configuration 308, the second RFID tag 316 isaligned with another reader antenna 328. The exemplary configuration 304shows a 270° rotation of the rack 310 relative to the orientation of therack 310 in the first exemplary configuration 302. The fourth exemplaryconfiguration is determined using a direction from the rack origin fromthe first RFID tag 314 to the second RFID tag 316, relative to thematrix of reader antennas 318. The automated equipment 104 may determinethat the rack 310 is orientated 270° relative to the frame of reference312.

FIG. 3A also illustrates a circular rack 330 in four differentconfigurations that are rotated by 90 degrees as in the square rackexamples described above. Note that the first and second RFID tags 314and 316 can be uniquely aligned with two reader antennas, in order todetermine the location and orientation of the rack 330. For example, inthe exemplary arrangement 302, the second RFID tag 316 is aligned with areader antenna 332. In the first exemplary configuration 304, the secondRFID tag 316 is aligned with a reader antenna 334. In the secondexemplary configuration 306, the second RFID tag 316 is aligned with areader antenna 336. In the exemplary arrangement 308, the second RFIDtag 316 is aligned with a reader antenna 338. Thus, the origin of therack 310 and its orientation relative to the RFID reader antenna matrixis ascertained.

FIG. 3B illustrates different orientations for a rack using aone-dimensional reader antenna matrix according to one embodiment of theinvention.

In an exemplary arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3B, reader antennas 342may be configured in a one dimensional matrix. Reader antennas 342 maybe positioned beneath or within an area on which rack 310 is placed. Forexample, the reader antennas 342 may be positioned beneath or withinloading/unloading platform 108 where the rack 310 may be placed as partof the racks 106 so that the automatic equipment 104 can load or unloadsample containers in the rack 310. In one embodiment, the readerantennas 342 may be communicatively coupled to a computer (e.g., in theautomatic equipment 104) for controlling the orientation and location ofthe rack 310.

As discussed with reference to FIG. 3A, the first RFID tag 314 definesthe origin and geometry of the rack 310 and the second RFID tag 316defines a first direction relative to the origin. A third RFID tag 340defines a second direction relative to the origin. The second and thirdRFID tags 316, 340 can be used to determine and define an orientation ofthe rack 310 relative to the one dimensional matrix of the RFID readerantennas 342.

At least two of the RFID tags out of the first, second, and third RFIDtags 314, 316, 340 in the rack 310 align uniquely with at least twoantennas 342 in the reader matrix. For example, in the exemplary firstconfiguration 302, the first RFID tag 314 is aligned with a readerantenna 346 and the second RFID tag 316 is aligned with a reader antenna344. The third RFID tag 340 is not aligned with any reader antenna inthis example. In the exemplary second configuration 304, the RFID tag314 is aligned with a reader antenna 348 and the RFID tag 340 is alignedwith a reader antenna 350. The second RFID tag 316 is not aligned withany reader antenna. In the third exemplary configuration 306, the firstRFID tag 314 is aligned with a reader antenna 352 and the second RFIDtag 316 is aligned with a reader antenna 354. The third RFID tag 340 isnot aligned with any antenna. In the fourth exemplary configuration 308,the first RFID tag 314 is aligned with a reader antenna 358 and thethird RFID tag 340 is aligned with a reader antenna 356. The second RFIDtag 316 is not aligned with any antenna. In one embodiment, a computercoupled to the reader antennas 342 may activate each reader antenna 342and associate the RFID tags that are aligned with the reader antennas tothe orientation and location of the rack 310. Thus, the origin of therack 310 and its orientation relative to the RFID reader antenna matrixis ascertained.

Some methods according to embodiments of the invention may includingaligning two or more RFID tags of a sample carrier with an RFID readerantenna matrix in such a way so that each of the at least two RFID tagsis brought into close proximity to an individual RFID reader antenna.The presence, the position, and the characteristics (e.g., the samplecarrier geometry) of the sample carrier can be detected with the RFIDantenna matrix.

In some cases, the sample carrier geometric information may be obtaineddirectly from the RFID tag that defines the origin or is obtained from adatabase comprising a list of sample carrier types, their respectivegeometry information, and optionally corresponding sample containers orother objects that can be carried by the sample carrier types. By usingthis information, a sample container or sample containers within asample carrier can be located in the area. A sample container transportdevice such as a gripper unit may then be manipulated to handle one ormore sample containers within the area.

A display associated with a computer apparatus in electricalcommunication with the RFID antenna matrix may then display one or moresample carriers and/or sample containers in the area on a graphical userinterface.

Some embodiments of the invention can have areas for rack (or othersample carrier) placement (e.g. input or output drawers), where rackscan be placed by the user. The areas may be examples of mount devicesfor mounting racks. The areas may be any area (e.g., input area, outputarea, or a distribution area) where racks can be placed or exchanged.The areas may comprise a grid, which defines a variety of validpositions for rack placement. This grid may be realized by a mechanicalstructure, e.g. recesses, pegs, bases, which corresponds to respectivemechanical structures of the racks (e.g. rims, holes, etc.). The gridwill allow the user to freely choose the position of rack of varioussizes as long as all racks are aligned with the grid. The orientation ofthe racks can be determined automatically via a combination of threetags on each rack (one origin tag (comprising geometric rackinformation), and two orientation tags, one for each orthogonal axis ofrack orientation).

By reading the tags, the system learns what rack is placed on whichsegments of the rack placement area. By reading the memory of the originRFID tag in the rack, the system learns e.g. on which positions samplescontainers may be held by the rack so that a gripper of the system canspecifically grip individual samples. The memory of the origin RFID tagmay also comprise information related to the kind of samples that fitinto the rack, so, e.g., the system can learn from reading the origintag that a STAT (short turnaround time) tube rack was inserted, and thatthe tubes in the tube rack should be handled with priority.

These concepts can be described with reference to FIGS. 3C-1, 3C-2,3C-3, and 3C-4. FIG. 3C-1 shows a rack placement area with a grid 370.FIG. 3C-2 shows a rack placement area with the grid 370 and aone-dimensional array of RFID antennas 374. FIG. 3C-3 shows a squareshaped rack (recesses for sample tubes are not shown) 380 with an originRFID tag 380(a), and a first orientation RFID tag 380(b), and a secondorientation RFID tag 380(c).

FIG. 3C-4 shows examples of valid rack placements on the grid 370. Therack orientation is automatically detected. For example, rack 380 canhave an origin RFID tag 380(a), and a first orientation RFID tag 380(b),and a second orientation RFID tag 380(c). The first orientation RFID tag380(b) and second orientation RFID tag 380(c) form a right angle withrespect to the origin RFID tag 380(a). In this example, the origin RFIDtag 380(a) and the second RFID tag 380(c) can be detected by theunderlying RFID antenna matrix. The orientation of the rack 380 can bedetermined, because the origin RFID tag 380(a) is known. The origin RFIDtag 380(a) may comprise information regarding the rack geometry,including the position of the first orientation RFID tag 380(b) andsecond orientation RFID tag 380(c) in relation to the origin RFID tag380 (a). In another example, the rack 390 can have an origin RFID tag390(a), a first orientation RFID tag 390(b), and a second orientationtag 390(c). In this example, the origin RFID tag 390(a) and the secondorientation RFID tag 390(c) can be detected.

A general workflow that can be used in embodiments of the invention isdescribed below. In embodiments of the invention, a rack placement areacan have a defined grid, indicating the valid positions for rackplacement. The grid may be defined by e.g. lines or preferablymechanical structures. The grid is preferably orthogonal, thus limitingthe options of placement orientation of the racks to 4 (0°, 90°, 180°,270°). Some racks may be too large in relation to the rack placementarea to be placed in all 4 orientations. In such cases, only twoplacement orientations may be possible. Corresponding to the grid is anarray of RFID reader antennas, e.g. one antenna is placed in each fielddefined by the grid. The array may also be only one-dimensional, e.g., arow of RFID antennas along the longitudinal axis of the rack placementarea.

And in some embodiments, a corresponding rack (or other sample carrier)may have exactly one remaining RFID tag in addition to an origin RFIDtag. Such a rack may, for example, be used where that rack is placeablein only two possible orientations on the rack placement area due to awidth limitation of the rack placement area in relation to thedimensions of the rack. In other embodiments, a corresponding rack (orother sample carrier) may have exactly two remaining RFID tags inaddition to an origin RFID tag. Such a rack may, for example, be usedwhere the placement orientation of the rack on the rack placement areais only limited by a grid of valid positions for rack placement on therack placement area, but, at least for some placement positions, notlimited by the boundaries of the rack placement area.

Racks suitable for use on the above rack placement area can have atleast two RFID tags that can align with the antenna matrix in the rackplacement area, when the rack is interfacing with the grid structures ofthe rack placement area. The number of tags applied to the rack candepend on the layout of the RFID reader antenna matrix of the rackplacement area. If at least two RFID tags are aligned with RFID readerantennas in every possible placement position of the rack, theorientation of the rack can be determined unequivocally.

However, a situation is possible, where the orientation of the rack canalso be determined by physical limitations in combination with only onedetected RFID tag. So, for example, a square shaped rack, correspondingto the size of 3×3 grid cells of the rack placement area, may comprise 4different RFID tags, each in the middle of each side of the rack. Whenthe rack placement area is also limited to a width of 3 grid cells andthe reader matrix is located as a one-dimensional array of RFID readerantennas along one side of the rack placement area, then in eachpossible orientation of the rack only one RFID tag is aligned with anRFID reader antenna of the RFID reader antenna matrix. However, in thissetup this is sufficient to determine the orientation in which the rackis placed.

In the RFID reading process, RFID antennas are energized. When an RFIDtag is aligned to an antenna in the RFID reader antenna matrix, itanswers back, providing its ID (and inherently its position as thereader position is known). The system can then request from said RFIDtag stored information, e.g. rack type information.

FIG. 4 illustrates a 60° orientation for a rack using a two-dimensionalreader antenna matrix, in one embodiment of the invention. Unlike theprior reader antenna matrix embodiments, the reader antenna matrix is inthe form of a circle of reader antennas. Further, the rack in thisexample is a one-dimensional rack with recesses extending only in onedirection.

As illustrated in the FIG. 4, a rack 402 having a one-dimensional arrayof recesses comprises a first RFID tag 406 and a second RFID tag 408. Inone embodiment of the invention, the first RFID tag 406 defines theorigin of the rack 402 and its geometry. The second RFID tag 408 definesorientation of the rack 402 relative to the two dimensional matrix ofRFID reader antennas 410. As shown in FIG. 4, the rack 404 is oriented60°, counterclockwise, with respect to the rack 402. The rack origin forthe rack 404 as marked by the RFID tag 406 and the RFID tag 408 isaligned with a reader antenna 412.

Embodiments of the invention provide benefits over current solutions byutilizing two or more RFID tags and a matrix of RFID reader antennassuch that an operator can load racks in numerous locations andorientations and the automation system is able to determine thelocations and the orientations of the racks. The number of detectablelocations and orientations can depend on the number of RFID tag antennasin the reader matrix, and spacing of the RFID tags in the rack. Thus,the automation equipment can determine correct association of positionwithin the rack for removing and depositing the samples in the rack.

II. Embodiments Using at Least one RFID Tag and a Physical Structure

Other embodiments of the invention do not need to use at least two RFIDtags in a sample carrier. In other embodiments of the invention, auniversal mount device may be used to control the location and/ororientation of a rack within a plane. An RFID tag in the rack may beused to identify the rack and/or its location.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, the operator 102 of automation equipment 104may need to accommodate various workflows and/or classifications ofsample containers (e.g., sample tubes). For example, the samplecontainers may need to be classified for further processing such assorting, capping, decapping, archiving, aliquoting, etc., which mayrequire different workflows. Hence, it may be desirable for theoperators to have the flexibility of using multiple sizes of the samplecarriers (e.g., racks or trays holding the sample tubes) with theautomation equipment 104 without altering any facet of the system. Forexample, the automation equipment 104 may need to place racks or trayswith different sizes onto a drawer (e.g., in an input module). Further,the automation equipment 104 may need to locate racks or trays withdifferent sizes placed on the bottom plane of the drawer so that thesystem can access the contents of the sample containers stored in samplecarriers within the drawer.

Conventional solutions allow a single arrangement of rack types andpositions in a drawer. They lack the flexibility of changing theconfiguration to match work flow or rack sizes. Other solutions make useof a base frame structure that allows for the use of various rack sizesand arrangements. However, each base frame structure may only allow fora single arrangement of rack types and their positions. Consequently, alarge number of base frames may be needed to accommodate the manyvariations of rack types and their various positions on the drawer.

Embodiments of the invention allow the operators flexibility of usingmultiple rack sizes and arranging them in different ways to accommodatevarious workflows. In one embodiment, a method is provided that allowsfor the arrangement of multiple rack types on a drawer (e.g., in aninput module of an automation system) in various positions using auniversal mount device. The universal mount device may be present in thedrawer or capable of being removed from the drawer or the input moduleof an automation system in embodiments of the invention. In addition,information relating to the racks/trays, their locations andorientations in the drawer are transmitted to the system which can usethis information to move samples or sample containers to and from thesample carriers (e.g., racks, trays, etc.).

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a universal mount devicecomprising a mount body comprising a plurality of patterned features.The plurality of patterned features are capable of positioning samplecarriers of different sizes and/or capable of positioning samplecarriers at different locations on the mount body. In some embodiments,the locations may be predefined. An RFID reader antenna matrix iscoupled to the mount body. The RFID reader antenna matrix may be coupledto the mount body in any suitable manner. For example, in embodiments ofthe invention, the RFID reader antenna matrix may be embedded within themount body, in recesses in the mount body, or attached to an outersurface (e.g., top or side surfaces) of the mount body. The RFID readerantenna matrix comprises a plurality of RFID reader antennas. Inembodiments of the invention, patterned features associated with themount body ensure that an RFID tag associated with the sample carrier(e.g., a rack) aligns with a defined reader antenna (of the matrix) inthe mount body, when the sample carrier is placed at a defined (bypatterned feature) position on the mount body. The RFID tag can compriseinformation regarding the dimensions of the sample carrier in someembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a top plan view of a universal mount deviceaccording to one embodiment of the invention.

In one embodiment, an exemplary apparatus 500 includes a universal mountdevice 502 and a rack 504 that may be mounted on the universal mountdevice 502 in multiple positions. In one embodiment, the universal mountdevice 502 may include a mount body 520 and an RFID reader antennamatrix 514 comprising a plurality of RFID reader antennas 516 coupled tothe mount body 520. The mount body 520 may be in the form of a planarstructure, and the RFID reader antennas 516 may be embedded within themount body 520 or attached to its upper side or underside. The mountbody 520 may be made of any suitable material including any suitablepolymeric material. The mount body 520 may have any suitable shape thatallows arranging of different types/sizes of racks or trays that can beaccessed by the automation equipment 102. For example, the mount body520 may have a circular, square, or a rectangular surface area in someembodiments of the invention.

In FIG. 5A, the universal mount device 502 comprises eight patternedfeatures 518. Each patterned feature 518 may include one or more mountlocating features 522 (e.g., in the form of walls of a rectangle) and amount orientation feature 524, e.g. extending from one of the walls. Thepatterned features 518 may be raised or recessed, relative to anothermajor surface of the mount body 520, by any suitable distance.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the rack 504 mounted on theuniversal mount device 502, in one embodiment of the invention. It willbe understood that the rack 504 can be mounted on any of the eightpatterned features 518 of the universal mount device 502. In someembodiments, at least one valid position of the rack 504 on theuniversal mount device 502 can be defined based on the patternedfeatures of the universal mount device 502.

FIG. 5C illustrates the rack 504 comprising a carrier location featureand a carrier orientation feature, in one embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the rack 504 may comprise a carrier body 512,an RFID tag 506 coupled to the carrier body 512, a carrier locatingfeature 508 and a carrier orientation feature 510 associated with thecarrier body 512. The rack 504 is capable of being positioned andoriented by interfacing one or more of the patterned features of theuniversal mount device 502 with the carrier locating feature 508 and thecarrier orientation feature 510 associated with the carrier body 512.The rack 504 may hold microtiter plates or as little as one sample. Asshown, the RFID tag 506 may be placed within a structure that protrudesdownward from the top major surface of the rack 504. This allows theRFID tag 506 to be as close as possible to the reader antennas in thereader antenna matrix.

In FIG. 5A, the RFID reader antenna matrix 514 is configured as a onedimensional matrix of equally spaced RFID reader antennas 516, however,any suitable configuration of the RFID reader antennas is possible(e.g., two dimensional, circular, etc.). Further, although FIG. 5A showsequally spaced RFID reader antennas, in other embodiments, the RFIDreader antennas may be unequally spaced. In this example, each readerantenna 516 is disposed either inside a mount locating features orbetween adjacent pairs of mount locating features 522. As discussedpreviously, each of the RFID reader antennas 516 may be configured as aradio frequency transmitter and receiver that may be controlled by acomputer or a processing unit. The RFID reader antenna matrix 514 may beconfigured to extract information from the RFID tags that may be affixedto the rack bodies. Such information is either directly extracted fromthe RFID tag's memory or from a higher level software database accordingto the identified type or ID information of the RFID tag.

In one embodiment of the invention, the universal mount device 502 isconfigured to support the mounting of sample carriers such as racks ortrays of different sizes/types. Additionally, the universal mount device502 provides for one or more patterned features 518 on which racks andtrays that are compatible with this feature can be located, for example,by using the mount locating feature 522 and the mount orientationfeature 524. In an embodiment, a tray may be configured as an adapterthat permits racks or other items that are not compatible with thepatterned feature of the universal mount device 502 to be located on theuniversal mount device 502. In another embodiment, the universal mountdevice 502 may be implemented as a permanent feature on the drawer. Inanother embodiment, the universal mount device 502 is similar to a baseframe that is removable from the drawer to accommodate various racksizes and types.

In one embodiment, the rack 504 or a tray holding the rack 504 (notshown) is designed to be cooperatively structured with the patternedfeature 518 of the universal mount device 502. The carrier body 512 mayhave any suitable shape including a circular, square or rectangularvertical or horizontal cross section to accomplish this. The carrierbody 512 may also have any suitable number of slots or recesses forholding sample containers, in any suitable arrangement. In someembodiments, the slots may be arranged as an array, with equal orunequal numbers of rows and columns.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag 506 may be affixed to the rack 504 e.g.in a central position such that it aligns with an RFID reader antenna onthe universal mount device 502 when the rack is placed in such a manneron the universal mount, that the carrier locating features of the rackand the mount locating feature of the universal mount are interfacingwith each other. When an RFID tag 506 is brought into close proximity ofthe field of a scanning RFID reader antenna 516, it is activated by thefield of the scanning RFID antenna and its ID may be read by the RFIDreader antenna. Via software running on a processor, multiple orspecific RFID tags can be triggered by the RFID reader antenna totransmit the information stored on the microchip to be picked up by thescanning RFID antenna. The information associated with the RFID tags 506may include a unique identifier of the rack or tray, informationregarding the rack 504 or a tray holding the rack 504, for example, acolor of the rack or tray, a type of the rack or tray, geometricinformation related to the rack or tray and information regarding thelocation of one or more positions on the rack or tray where samplecontainers or samples may be held by the rack or tray. Such rackspecific information may e.g. further comprise information related tosample tubes that will fit into the respective rack. In one embodiment,the central position of the RFID tag 506 aligns with an RFID reader thatmay be part of the RFID reader antenna matrix 514. The RFID readers inthe RFID reader antenna matrix 514 may have limited range that preventsthem from reading any RFID tag other than the one directly over theantenna. As each antenna in the RFID reader antenna matrix 514 isenergized, some of the RFID reader antennas 516 may read the RFID tagassociated with a rack/tray, while others may not. Since the patternedfeature of the universal mount device 502 is defined relative to thepositions of the RFID reader antennas 516, if an RFID reader antenna 516reads an RFID tag, the rack to which the tag is attached can beassociated to a feature position on the universal mount device 502.

With respect to the universal mount device 502 in FIG. 5A, a number ofwires and other electrical components may connect the RFID readerantenna matrix 514 to a computer apparatus (e.g., the computer apparatus104B in FIG. 1B). These wires are not shown for simplicity ofillustration, and one of ordinary skill in the art would know how toprovide for any suitable electrical communication between the RFIDreader antenna matrix 514 and a computer apparatus.

The rack 504 may comprise one or more carrier locating features 508, andone or more carrier orientation features 510. The carrier locatingfeatures 508 and the carrier orientation features 510 may be integrallyformed with the carrier body 512 as illustrated in FIG. 5C, or they maybe separate structures attached to the carrier body 512. In thisexample, there are two locating features in the rack 504, each locatingfeature embodied by parallel walls. The parallel walls may interface(e.g., contact) with the parallel sides of a single patterned feature518 or multiple patterned features 518 utilizing the mount locatingfeature 522 and the mount orientation feature 524 so that the rack 504is accurately positioned on the universal mount device 502. The carrierorientation feature 510 in this example is embodied by a recess in oneof the walls of the rack 504. In other embodiments, the carrierorientation features may in the form of specific structures such asprotrusions. The one or more carrier locating features 508 and thecarrier orientation feature 510 allow for the accurate location andorientation with respect to the one or more patterned features of theuniversal mount device 502.

The carrier locating feature 508 and the carrier orientation feature 510may have other suitable characteristics. For example, in one embodiment,the carrier locating feature 508 may be related to the geometricaldimensions (e.g., length and width) of the rack 504. In one embodiment,the carrier orientation feature 510 may comprise a slot or an openingthat may be used as a reference for placing or locating the rack 504 onthe universal mount device 502 at a specific position. In oneembodiment, the geometric location of the universal mount device 502 andits patterned feature are defined relative to the drawer, which helpdetermine the locations of the racks/trays relative to the drawer. Thegeometric information regarding the rack 504 extracted from the RFID tag506 permits the identification of the geometric locations of theaccessible sites of the rack 504. The information may be conveyed to theautomation equipment 104 that may use this information to move thesample containers to and from the rack 504.

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary rack sizes compatible with the universalmount device, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated, increasing rack sizes 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614and 616 are compatible with the universal mount device 502. Inembodiments of the invention, a rack/tray size is compatible if itincorporates the patterned feature of the universal mount device 502.For example, the rack 604 may be similar to the rack 504 with an RFIDtag similar to the RFID tag 506 that can be read by RFID reader antennasof the RFID reader antenna matrix 514. In some embodiments, one or moreof the rack sizes 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614 and 616 denote racksizes that are compatible with the universal mount device 502. Racks orother items that do not possess the patterned feature of the universalmount device 502 cannot be located or placed on the universal mountdevice 502. In some embodiments, each of the racks or trays may have anRFID tag affixed in a central position that may be detected by one ofthe RFID reader antennas of the RFID reader antenna matrix 514. Forexample, if a rack as the size designated by reference number 604, therack may have a single RFID tag at a central portion of the rack. Whenthe rack is placed over the mount locating features 516 that are labeled“1” and “2”, an RF antenna between these mount locating features 516 canactivate and obtain information from the single RFID tag. That singleRFID tag may store information (e.g., in a memory) regarding thedimensions of the rack. In this case, a computer apparatus coupled tothe reader antenna will be able to determine that the rack is currentlylocated over the mount locating features that are labeled “1” and “2”.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate exemplary rack/tray arrangements on the universalmount, in embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A (which shows top plan views), in a firstexemplary configuration 702, four 6×6 racks may be arranged on theuniversal mount device 502. In a second exemplary configuration 704, one6×14 rack, one 6×2 rack and one 6×6 rack may be arranged on theuniversal mount device 502. In third exemplary configuration 706, two6×6 racks and one tray 708 holding twelve 5×1 racks may be arranged onthe universal mount device 502.

In the first exemplary configuration, the rack 710 may have an RFID tagin a central location in the rack. The RFID tag of the rack 710 mayalign with an RFID reader antenna 712 so that the geometric informationregarding the rack 710 is extracted and associated to a feature positionon the universal mount device 502.

In the third exemplary configuration 706, the sample carrier 708 holdstwelve 5×1 racks. Each of the 5×1 racks may not possess the patternedfeature of the universal mount device 502. However, an RFID tag (notshown) affixed to the sample carrier 708 may be in a central positionsuch that it aligns with an RFID reader antenna on the universal mountdevice 502 and extracts relevant information for identifying the racksplaced in the sample carrier 708 to thereby identify the samplepositions in the racks.

FIG. 7B illustrates a side, perspective view of the exemplary universalmount device 502 and configurations 702, 704 and 706 using the universalmount device 502 according to embodiments of the invention.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, embodiments of the invention allowarranging different sizes/types of racks or trays in multiple positionsusing a universal mount device. In embodiments of the invention, asample carrier is capable of being positioned by interfacing one or moreof the patterned features of the universal mount device with thelocating feature and the orientation feature of the sample carrier.Thus, embodiments of the invention provide flexibility to the operatorsof the automation systems by allowing the access of multiple rack/traysizes to accommodate various workflows or classification of samples.

Further, referring back to FIG. 5A, the mount orientation feature 524provides a physical control for detecting the orientation of the rack504 and the RFID tag 506 allows detecting the location of the rack 504on the universal mount device 502. In some embodiments, the mountorientation feature 524 of the universal mount device 502 may becombined with the multiple RFID tags of the rack 200 to determine thelocation and orientation of the racks on the universal mount device 502.By utilizing the mount orientation feature for physical control mayallow for fewer RFID reader antennas, since the position of the rack maybe somewhat confined. This can decrease the complexity and cost of thesystem, relative to other configurations.

The various participants and elements described herein with reference tothe figures may operate one or more computer apparatuses to facilitatethe functions described herein. Any of the elements in the abovedescription, including any servers, processors, or databases, may useany suitable number of subsystems to facilitate the functions describedherein, such as, e.g., functions for operating and/or controlling thefunctional units and modules of the laboratory automation system,transportation systems, the scheduler, the central controller, localcontrollers, etc.

Examples of such subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 8. Thesubsystems shown in FIG. 8 are interconnected via a system bus 805.Additional subsystems such as a printer 804, keyboard 808, fixed disk809 (or other memory comprising computer readable media), monitor 811,which is coupled to display adapter 806, and others are shown.Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to I/Ocontroller 801 (which can be a processor or other suitable controller),can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known inthe art, such as serial port 807. For example, serial port 807 orexternal interface 810 can be used to connect the computer apparatus toa wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, or ascanner. The interconnection via system bus allows the central processor803 to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution ofinstructions from system memory 802 or the fixed disk 809, as well asthe exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory 802and/or the fixed disk 809 may embody a computer readable medium.

Embodiments of the technology are not limited to the above-describedembodiments. Specific details regarding some of the above-describedaspects are provided above. The specific details of the specific aspectsmay be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spiritand scope of embodiments of the technology. For example, back endprocessing, data analysis, data collection, and other processes may allbe combined in some embodiments of the technology. However, otherembodiments of the technology may be directed to specific embodimentsrelating to each individual aspect, or specific combinations of theseindividual aspects.

It should be understood that the present technology as described abovecan be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software(stored in a tangible physical medium) in a modular or integratedmanner. Furthermore, the present technology may be implemented in theform and/or combination of any image processing. Based on the disclosureand teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the artwill know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement thepresent technology using hardware and a combination of hardware andsoftware.

Any of the software components or functions described in thisapplication, may be implemented as software code to be executed by aprocessor using any suitable computer language such as, for example,Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-orientedtechniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions,or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as ahard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Anysuch computer readable medium may reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the technology will become apparent to those skilled inthe art upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the technologyshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but instead should be determined with reference to thepending claims along with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one ormore features of any other embodiment without departing from the scopeof the technology.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mount device comprising: a mount bodycomprising a plurality of patterned features having the same size andshape, the plurality of patterned features capable of positioning samplecarriers of different sizes and capable of positioning sample carriersat different locations and in different orientations on the mount body,wherein each of the sample carriers comprises two or more recesses tohold sample containers, wherein the patterned features comprise aplurality of mount orientation features configured to engage distinctcarrier orientation features of the sample carriers to fix a rotationalorientation of the sample carriers with respect to the plurality ofmount orientation features in a distinct desired orientation; and anRFID reader matrix physically coupled to the mount body, the RFID readermatrix comprising a plurality of RFID reader antennas.
 2. The mountdevice of claim 1, wherein the patterned features are defined orpositioned relative to the positions of the RFID reader antennas.
 3. Themount device of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader antenna matrix isconfigured as a one dimensional or two dimensional matrix of equallyspaced RFID reader antennas.
 4. The mount device of claim 1, whereineach of the plurality of the RFID reader antennas is configured todetect an RFID tag associated with a sample carrier, when said samplecarrier is positioned on the mount device.
 5. The mount device of claim1, wherein the RFID reader antennas in the RFID reader matrix are in agrid.
 6. A laboratory automation system comprising the mount device ofclaim
 1. 7. The laboratory automation system of claim 6, wherein themount device is located within the laboratory automation system in anarea where the sample carriers can be placed or exchanged.
 8. Thelaboratory automation system of claim 7, wherein the area is an inputarea, an output area, or a distribution area.
 9. The mount device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the sample carriers is rectangular.
 10. Themount device of claim 1, wherein the patterned features are configuredto engage an interior surface of the sample carrier.
 11. The mountdevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of patterned featurespositioning sample carriers of different sizes such that a first subsetof the plurality of patterned features engages a sample carrier of afirst size, and a second subset of the plurality of patterned featuresengages a sample carrier of a second size, wherein the second subset ofthe plurality of patterned features includes at least some of the firstsubset of the plurality of patterned features.